Human Smugglers are keeping the US Coast Guard and other federal agencies busy in the waters off California. In recent days, they have intercepted more than 100 people attempting to enter the US illegally by boat.
On one day alone (February 21, 2026), the Coast Guard, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the US Navy encountered five different Mexican cartel boats during a ninety-minute period south of San Clemente Island. The flotilla was attempting to smuggle 62 people into California in broad daylight.
One of the vessels flew an American flag in the hope of avoiding being stopped by US Authorities. Another tried to outrun a US patrol boat, then surrendered after warning shots were fired.
Four of the boats were seized by the US government. The fifth, which was taking on water and found to be unseaworthy, was allowed to sink after its passengers and crew were taken into custody.
One night later, a US Coast Guard cutter intercepted another human smuggling vessel with 20 illegal aliens aboard west of Sunset Cliffs, San Diego. The passengers and smugglers were turned over to Department of Homeland Security Agents.
Not all of these human smuggling attempts involve such a large number of illegal aliens. Eight Mexican citizens believed to have entered the US illegally were found aboard a boat off Catalina Island on February 15, 2026. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Los Angeles is looking into that case.
The most recent incident occurred just after midnight on Sunday, March 1, 2026, off Point Loma. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agents detected a “panga-style” smuggling boat from Mexico entering US waters and requested Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour to intercept.
The Coast Guard found 14 illegal aliens aboard. The individuals claimed to be citizens of El Salvador, Nicaragua, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico. They were turned over to Imperial Beach Border Patrol Agents.
Do you believe this recent spike in human smuggling attempts by sea is the result of efforts to make the land border with Mexico more difficult for smugglers to cross with large numbers of illegal aliens?
Share your opinion in the comments to this article!
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
